always held that it was to the honour of Jon that he told the tale thus,
hiding nothing, seeing that some of it is against himself.

Now when all had gone, Eric looked at Skallagrim, who still stood near
him, axe in hand.

"Wherefore goest thou not, drunkard?" he said. "Surely thou wilt find
ale and mead in the vales or oversea. Here there is none. Hasten! I
would be alone!"

Now the great body of Skallagrim shook with grief and shame, and the red
blood poured up beneath his dark sin. Then he spoke in a thick voice:

"I did not think to live to hear such words from the lips of Eric
Brighteyes. They are well earned, yet it is unmanly of thee, lord, thus
to taunt one who loves thee. I would sooner die as Swanhild said yonder
thrall should die than live to listen to such words. I have sinned
against thee, indeed, and because of my sin my heart is broken. Hast
thou, then, never sinned that thou wouldst tear it living from my breast
as eagles tear a foundered horse? Think on thine own sins, Eric, and
pity mine! Taunt me thus once more or bid me go once more and I will go
indeed! I will go thus--on the edge of yonder gulf thou didst
overcome me by thy naked might, and there I swore fealty to thee, Eric
Brighteyes. Many a year have we wandered side by side, and, standing
back to back, have struck many a blow. I am minded to do this: to stand
by thee in the last great fight that draws on and to die there with
thee. I have loved no other man save thee, and I am too old to seek new
lords. Yet, if still thou biddest me, I will go thus. Where I swore my
oath to thee, there I will end it. For I will lay me down on the brink
of yonder gulf, as once I lay when thy hand was at my throat, and call
out that thou art no more my lord and I am no more thy thrall. Then I
will roll into the depths beneath, and by this death of shame thou shalt
be freed of me, Eric Brighteyes."

Eric looked at the great man--he looked long and sadly. Then he spoke:

"Skallagrim Lambstail, thou hast a true heart. I too have sinned, and
now I put away thy sin, although Gudruda is dead through thee and I must
die because of thee. Stay by me if thou wilt and let us fall together."

Then Skallagrim came to Eric, and, kneeling before him, took his hands
and kissed them.

"Now I am once more a man," he said, "and I know this: we two shall die
such a great death that it will be well to have lived to die it!" and he
arose and shouted:

"A! hai! A! h